Apparatus for cleaning fabrics



Aug. 6, 1929. H. KLEIN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS 3 Sheets-SheetFiled Aug. 3, 1928 fier'nuuvbKle fitter/1404 o Aug. 6, 1929. KL1,723,514

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS Filed Aug. 5, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2lfiarmwiflemwm 1 33313 I 1 I a Aug. 6, 1929.

H. KLEIN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS 3, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet FiledAug.

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Patented Aug; 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE.

HERMANN KLEIN, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 KLEIN, WEINEM dcBELL, A FIRM 0F MILWAUKEE, WISGONEIN.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS.

Application filed August 3, 1928. Serial No. 297,261.

This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning carpets and similarfabrics, one of the objects being to provide a continuous processwhereby the fabric to be cleaned can be directed into one end of theapparatus and, after being subjected successively to the action ofdilferent parts of the apparatus, will emerge therefrom clean and dryready for delivery.

A further object is to combine, in a single apparatus, means whereby thesuccessive steps of the cleaning operation will be car'- ried out inproperly timed relation, these steps including, first, the subjection ofthe fabric to the action of suction thereby to remove dust and otherparticles, second, washing the fabric thoroughly, third, extracting thecleaning fluid from the fabric, fourth, subjecting'the fabric to theaction of acid water, fifth, applying a size to the bottom surface ofthe fabric, sixth, subjecting the fabric to the action of a dryerwhereby all moisture is removed therefrom, seventh, subjecting thefabric to the action of a steam board and brush whereby the nap islifted and the rug properly finished prior to delivery.

Another object is to provide a means of cleaning whereby soapy water ora volatile cleansing fluid can be utilized, means being employed, in thelatter case, for preventing combustion during the cleansing operation.

Afurther object is to utilize a means of I cleaning fabrics whichgreatly facilitates'the cleaning operation, it beingpossible with thisapparatus to properly clean, size, dry

and finish a rug in less than thirty minute's.

A still further object is to provide an improved means whereby a rug orother fabric can be cleaned thoroughly, dried and finished during onecontinuous operation,

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention resides incertain novel details of construction and combinations of partshereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it beingunderstood that changes in the precise embodiment of the inventionherein disclosed ma be made within the scope of what is clairne withoutdeparting from the'spirit of the invention. I

In the accompanying drawings there has been shown"apparatus whereby theseveral steps of the method can be carried out efliciently and quickly.

In said drawings,

'Figure l is a view, in diagram, showing a complete apparatus for use incleaning fabrics according to the method constitut- 111% the presentinvention.

igure 2 is a similar view showing a modified form of apparatus utilizinga volatile cleansing fluid and showing a type of dryer difiering fromthat illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing another type of dryerFigure 4. is a section through another form of dryer.

Figure 5 is a section through a modified form of size applying means,

In carrying out the method it is necessary, in order to have acontinuous process, to utillze an endless conveyor such as shown at 1this conveyor being formed of a. foraminous material through which.fluids can flow freely, or, if preferred, being made of endless chainsto which a rug or thelilre rectly above an air trough 4 located beneathV the fabric. Thus as the fabric passes across the space between thefeed rolls 2 it will be subjected to the action of suction which willresult in extracting from the fabric any j loose foreign. particles ofdust, etc.

After leaving the feedrolls 2 the fabric is directed on to the endlessbelt 1, this fabric passing between rolls 5 one of which guides the beltwhile the other acts to grip the rug and direct it on to the belt orconveyor. Adjacent to the feed rolls 5 there'is provided a washingtrough 6 for holding a cleansing fluid such as soapy water directed onto the fabric from a distributing nozzle 7. A cylindrical brush 8 islocated above the trough 6 and is so positioned as to cause the conveyorbelt 1 to bend downwardly into the trough as it .passes thereover. Thefabric R carried by the conveyor belt will also be bent or dippeddownwardly into the trough as it passes under the brush and this that itcan drain downwardly into an outlet brush, acting on the fabric, tendsto, scrub it thoroughly while submerged in the contents of the trough,thereby to quickly and efliciently wash the fabric.

After leaving the trough 6 the fabric is conveyed between rolls 9whichact to express the cleansing fluid from the fabric so receptacle-10 provided therefor. After leaving the rolls 9 the fabric is subjectedto the action of a stream of water issuing from a distributing nozzle11, this water being used for rinsing the fabric so as to removetherefrom-any of the water remaining from the washing operation. Afterleaving the rinsing point the excess water is extracted from the fabricby rolls 12 located above and below the path of the fabric, theexpressedwater flowing downwardly into an outlet container 13.

After leaving the rolls 12 the fabric is conveyed over a container 14holding acid water and in the upper portion of this container is a lowerroll 15 while an upper roll dryer.

16 is positioned directly thereabove. These rolls cooperate to extractfrom the fabric the acid water which has been directed thereonto from anozzle 17 supported above the receptacle 14 between the rollers 12 and16. Nozzle 17 is supplied with acid Water through a pipe 18 extendingfrom the bottom of the container 14, there being a suitable pump 19 forforcing the acid water longitudinally within the pipe to the nozzle.

After the fabric has been treated with acid water which, as is wellknown to those skilled in the art, restores the colors of the fabric,the said fabric is carried over a distributing nozzle 20 located beneaththat portion of the conveyor belt on which the fabric is mounted. Thisnozzle extends from and communicates with a container 21 holding sizeand a compressor indicated at22, can be utilized for maintaining apressure on the size so that it will be forcibly expelled through thedistributing nozzle 20 upwardly through the conveyor belt 1 and on tothe bottom surface of the fabric.

After leaving the sizing apparatus the fabric is carried by the conveyorinto the This dryer can be one of several types although in everyinstance it is essential that it include a means for supplying hot airto the fabric and a means for withdrawing the hot air quickly so that itwill carry off the moisture absorbed thereby from the fabric. The speedof the conveyor 1 'is so timed that as the fabric passes through thedryer it will be subjected to the action of the hot air for asufficiently long 11 the structure illustrated in Figure 1 the dryerincludes a bottom section 23 having a drain pipe 24 through which excessmoisture may escape. This bottom section 23 is period to remove all ofthe moisture therein. I

located under and close to that portion of the conveyor on which thefabric is mounted. Over said portion of the conveyor is located the hood25 of the dryer. This hood is preferably substantially conical with alarge exhaust pipe 26 at the apex thereof while a desired number ofsupply pipes 27 are located adjacent the margin of the hood fordirecting heated air into the hood where it will come into directcontact with the fabric being dried. The air is preferably heated beforeit enters the hood although, if preferred, and as shown in Figure 4, aheatmg coil 28 can be located within the hood whereby the heated, air,admitted through the pipes 29, will be superheated by the coil 28 whichcan contain steam or any other suitable heating medium. In everyinstanecthe heated air supplied to the hood must be dry sb as to quickly absorbthe moisture from the rug or other fabric.

After leaving the dryer the fabric is carried by the conveyor over atrough 30 having a foraminous top indicated at 31. Thls trough isfurnished with steam through a pipe 32 and constitutes a steam boardwhereby, as the fabric passes thereover, steam will be directedtherethrough as well as through the adjacent portion of the conveyor andwill result in the lifting of the nap.

After leaving the steam board the fabric is carried beneath acylindrical brush 33 which rotates to comb through the nap and properlyfinish the fabric which, leaving the brush, will pass over the inlet 34of a suction pipe 35 so that remaining moisture will thus be carriedaway and the fabric can then be placed on a roll 36 and delivered to thecustomer.

The method heretofore described utilizes soapy water or a similar fluidfor cleansing fabric. Under some conditions it is desirable to use ahighly volatile cleansing fluid such as gasoline or benzine but,obviously, fluids of this type are dangerous because of their explosivenature. In order to utilize cleansing fluids of this kind in connectionwith the apparatus described, the structure canbe modified as shown inFigure 2. In this modified form of apparatus the endless conveyor 37 hasits upper flight extended over a tank 38 for holding the cleansingfluid, over a second tank 39 for holding a rinsing fluid, and over athird tank 40 for holding acid water or the like.

A trough 41 is arranged within the upper portion of the tank 38 directlybeneath the scrubbing brush 42 which is cylindrical as shown. Rollers 43are also located within and above the tank 38 beyond trough 41 for thepurpose-"pf expressing excess cleansing fluid from the fabric beingtreated and dicleansing fluid can be withdrawn by a pump and elevated toa distributing nozzle 46 located above the conveyor and adjacent trougha1. This cleansing fluid will thus be directed downwardly on to thefabric which will subsequently be dipped into trough 41 and therescrubbed by the brush 42. i

The tank 39 is also provided with rollers 47 one of which is locatedabove the tank and conveyor while the other is located within the tank.These rollers are utilized for expressing cleansing fluid and dir stingit back into the tank 39. A filter orpurifying device has been indicatedat 48 and is used for receiving cleansing fluid from the tank '39. Apump 49 Withdrawsthe fluid from the filter and directs it through a pipe50 to a nozzle 51. Thus the fluid in tank 39 is used for rinsing thefabric after it has left the rollers 43 following which excess fluid isextracted from the fabric by the rolls 47.

On leaving the rolls 47 the fabric is conveyed over the tank 40containing the acid water although, if desired, this tank can be usedfor holding another quantity of cleansing fluid. Where acid water isused it is forced by a pump 52 through a pipe 53 to a nozzle 54-supported above the conveyor. A hood 55 is extended over the tanks 38,39,- and '40 and those portions of the apparatus cooperating therewithso as to-prevent the escape of fumes. As a further means for preventingignition of the cleansing fluid containers 56 and 57 can be supportedadjacent the hood and can open thereinto through a pipe 58. One of thesecontainers may hold ammonia while the other container can hold carbonicacid gas. These two gases, combined, and directed into the hood 55, willact to render the cleansing fluid non-explosive.

Sizing apparatus similar to thatheretofore described can be arrangedunder the conveyor beyond the tank 40 and has been indicated generallyat 59. The hood 55 can be extended over this sizing apparatus as shownat 60 and up to the dryer 61. This dryer, in the structure illustratedin Figure 2, includes a lower section 63 extending close to and underthe upper flight of the conveyor 37 and provided in its wall and bottomwith a steam jacket 64 or the like. A drain pipe 65 may be extended fromthe section 63. A hood, preferably conical, is

arranged over the section 63 and has been indicated at 66. This hood isalso formed preferably with a steam jacket as shown at 67 and has pipes68 adjacent the margin thereof for directing hot air into the hood whilean exhaust pipe 69 of much greater capacity than the combined capacitiesof the pipes 68, is arranged at the apex of the hood for withdrawing themoisture laden heated air.

Steam pipes 70 are supported within the hood 66 and utilized forspraying dry steam on to the fabric under treatment, thereby tofacilitate the extraction of the cleansing fluid from the fabric and toprevent ignition thereof.

After leaving the dryer the fabric is carried over the steam board 71similar to that heretofore described, under a finishing brush 72, andover a suction nozzle 73 to a roll 7 4 on which it can be wrapped fordelivery.

It might be stated that, instead of having the air enter the hood andleave through the apex portion thereof, as shown in Figure 2, the bottomsection 75 of the dryer can be made substantially conical as shown inFigure 3, this section being provided with a steam jacket 76 and, at itsapex, with an air outlet flue 77. Thus when heated air is directedthrough the pipes 78 into the hood 79 of the dryer it can flow outwardlyby passing downwardly through the fabric thence through the flue 77. Thecentral pipe 80 on the hood can also be used for supply ing heatedair'to the hood. In all other respects the structure illustrated inFigure 3 corresponds with that shown in Figure 2.

Instead of applying size by spraying it on to the fabric as described, abrush 81 can be mounted to rotate in a container 82 by the contact ofthe fabric therewith, thereby to lift the size and apply it to thesurface of the fabric.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a foraminous conveyor, and means for feeding afabric on to the conveyor, of acleansing trough extending under aportion of the conveyor, a rotary scrubbing element for engaging thefabric and depressing it with the adjacent portion of the conveyor intothe trough to submerge the same, and means for rinsing the fabric on theconveyor, the movement of the conveyor and the fabric thereon beingcontinuous and uninterrupted.

2. The combination with a conveyor of foraminous material, of means fordirecting on to the conveyor a fabric to be cleaned, a cleansing trough,a rotary scrubbing brush for depressing the fabric and that portion ofthe conveyor thereunder into the trough to submerge the same, means forexpressing excess fluid from the fabric after leaving the trough, meansfor rinsing the fabric on the conveyor, and means for again expressingexcess moisture from the fabric, said conveyor being movablecontinuously to convey the fabric while being subjected to the action.of the respective means.

3. Apparatus for cleaning rugs and the like including a foraminousconveyor, means for directing a rug or the like on to the conveyor, acleaning trough, a rotary scrubbing brush adjacent thereto fordepressing a portion of the conveyor and the rug or the like thereoninto the trough.

trough for holding a cleansing fluid, a mov-' able scrubbing elementabove the trough for depressing a portion of the conyeyor and the fabricthereon into the trough and for cleansing fluid to discharge it on tothe fabric and into the trough, and a hood closing said trough and thefabric being treated.

5. The combination with a foraminous conveyor, of separate tanks under aportion thereof, means for directing on to the conveyor a fabric to becleaned, a trough extending'across one of the tank's, scrubbing meansmovably mounted above the trough for engaging a fabric and scrubbing it,said means constituting a means for depressing the fabric and adjacentportion of the conveyor into the trough, means for elevating fluid fromthe tank and directing it on to the fabric and into the trough, meansfor draining excess fluid back into the adjacent tank, means forwithdrawing fluid from one of the tanks and directing it on to thefabric to rinse said fabric, a hood extending over the tanks forreceiving fumes therefrom, said conveyor constituting means for movingthe scrubbing said fabric, means for elevating a fabric continuously.

6. The combination with a continuous conveyor, and means for feeding afabric on to the conveyor, of means for submerging portions of thefabric and scrubbing the submerged portions, and separate means forsuccessively rinsing the fabric and drying the same while said fabric ismoving with the conveyor, said movement being uninterrupted.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own,I have hereto affixedmy signature.

HERMANN KLEIN.

